What is batik?

Batik is a traditional technique used for creating patterns on fabric by reserving areas with wax and then dying. When the wax is melted and hot enough, it penetrates the fabric and makes a barrier that dyes cannot enter. If the fabric is then creased (or creases while dying) the wax will crack, allowing dye to penetrate in those lines. This is the basics of batik. The process can be done several times to add more layers of colour or the wax can be removed at any time to start reserving new areas and dye with new colours. When finished all the wax must be removed to recover the fabrics original touch.